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Ascot Veterinary Hospital

Admission Process

Below is some information on what to expect when leaving your pet with us for a surgical procedure, we understand this can be a difficult and stressful time for you and your pet.

A few days prior to the procedure:

Bathing and grooming your pet is ideal prior to their booking. If sutures are required, it is not possible for your pet to be bathed or groomed for up to 2 weeks after the procedure. If your pet has a procedure without sutures, regular bathing or grooming generally should be fine.

Having a sedation or general anaesthetic requires fasting from 8pm the night before; this means no food is to be fed after 8pm. Remember to remove foods such as rawhide, treats, and old bones from your pet’s environment as well. Water is ok. The reason for fasting is so that our patient has an empty stomach, this can take up to 12 hours after eating. Having an empty stomach will help to prevent nausea and vomiting, which can often be a side effect from the medications given for an anaesthetic.

The night before the procedure:

The hospital will also give you a courtesy call on the day prior to the surgery reminding you of the booking and to answer any questions you may have.

On the day of your pet’s procedure;

Please allow your pet the option of toileting at home before you leave unless told otherwise. When entering the hospital bring your pet in on a lead or in their cage. It is best to leave personal items at home but if your pet has a small toy or teddy this will be fine to leave with them.

Admission time is between 8 – 8.30am for patients; if you are unable to make this time please contact the hospital prior to the day of the procedure to make other arrangements.

Please allow approximately 20 minutes for our admission process.

Our reception nurse will assist you in completing an admission form.

You will be asked:

To leave a contact number for whilst your pet is with us; this can be either for yourself or someone whom can speak on your behalf about your pet

If your pet has been fasted for the last 12 hours

A list of medications your pet is taking and when their last dose was given.

If you have insurance for your pet, the name of the insurance company.

Is your pet up to date with vaccination? If the vaccine has expired it is recommended to have your pet updated whilst they are in for the day.

Is your pet microchipped? If they are not, it is recommended to do this whilst they are with us. You will need to complete a consent form. If already microchipped we will record their number on our records. (Microchipping is now mandatory for dogs and cats. Please contact your local council for more information.)

Would like your pet to have a preanaesthetic blood test? This blood test is run in our hospital laboratory and measures that your pet’s organ function and blood count are within normal limits. Even if your pet visibly appears healthy this test may still be recommended as a preanaesthetic blood test gives the vet more information on their overall health and may prevent avoidable complications.

We will ask you to weigh your pet; this is still required even if your pet has been weighted the day before.

The admission for will then need to be signed for consent to the procedure and the for estimated fees.

If required you and your pet will be seen by the admitting vet. Once admission is completed your pet will be taken through into our hospital by the nurse and settled into their personalized hospital bed.

The vet will then give your pet a preanaesthetic assessment, blood test if required, intravenous fluid therapy will be started and a premedication will be given.

Once your pet has been admitted you are free to leave, We will contact you once your pet is in recovery to inform you how the procedure went and to organise a discharge appointment.

If you are unable to bring your pet in for admission, please make sure that the person who does is able to answer the above questions on your behalf or that you are contactable by phone during admission.

If you have any questions regarding your pet’s procedure, please contact us prior to the admission day via email or phone.